Gareth Thomas missed out on a trip to Edinburgh when the Wales captain was ruled out of the fourth leg of his nation's Grand Slam chasing match against Scotland in the 2005 RBS Six Nations -
But now Thomas can still get a taste of glory in the Scottish capital on Sunday, 22 May when his club Toulouse chase a record third Heineken Cup crown.
Thomas, who signed for the French giants last summer, has recovered from the thumb injury that stopped him leading his country out at Murrayfield and laid on a try when he came on as a replacement in his first match back in the semi-final victory over Leicester Tigers at the Walkers Stadium.
"It was wonderful that Wales won the Grand Slam but I was bitterly disappointed to miss out on playing at Murrayfield against Scotland in the Six Nations," said Thomas. "But now I have the chance to play there for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final against Stade Francais Paris and I am really looking forward to the final.
"And it will be extra special for me because it will be my first cup final.
"I have only ever been in semi-finals with Bridgend before so it is an exciting time for me and the club.
"Everything that has happened with Wales and the Grand Slam is great but when you are achieving it with your club it is special because these are the guys you are spending every day with.
"I was just chuffed I got game time against the Tigers because I have told them I just want to play rugby. I was that desperate to get on the field that I offered to play for the Seconds and if you were looking at the team before the game I deserved to be on the bench because of the way the guys have been playing.
"The reason I came to Toulouse was to fight for my place and I don't want to rest on my laurels.
"I am proud I am willing to fight for a club place and I am a better player for that."
